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Old January 5th 11, 05:57 AM posted to rec.radio.shortwave
bpnjensen bpnjensen is offline
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First recorded activity by RadioBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,027
Default Flex-Weave Antenna Wire...? Single Solid Wire ? -versus-Multi-Stranded Wire ?

On Jan 4, 6:32*pm, RHF wrote:

Dave & BpnJ,

It has always been my humble understanding :
That a Multi-Stranded Copper Wire where each
of the Strands has a very thin clear coating where
each of the individual Wires is separated from the
others is better than a single (1) Wire of the same
relative Size {DC Current Rating}.

"The Trick" is to get all those separate and individual
Stranded Wires in the Bundle to be 'connected*'
"Together" at the Fed-Point of the Antenna. {Joints}

* Usually this is done by Soldering the Wires all
'together' as one; with the Flow of Solder forming
an Electrical Bond between the Wires.
Soldering remotes the very thin clear coating and
allows for an optimum joining of the Wires as one.

Note : Crimping the Wires and other mechanical means
of fastening the Wires will always be something less
than the Maximum 100% Standard that Soldering the
Wires can achieve. -if-all-are-done-right-

For the same relative Physical Size Wire with the
same DC Current Handling Capabilities a group of
Stranded Wires will have more 'collective' Surface
Area for RF {Surface} Current than a Single Wire.
-roughly-

* 1 Single Wire to 7 Multi-Stranded Wires ~ 2X :
The Same DC Rating -but- Twice the RF Rating
* * Six Wires around a Center Wire

* 1 Single Wire to 19 Multi-Stranded Wires ~ 4X :
The Same DC Rating -but- Four-Times the RF Rating
* * Twelve Wires around Six Wires around a Center Wire

IMHO - For most average 'typical' 30 Feet to 120 Feet
Shortwave Radio Listener [SWL] Antennas an Insulated
Multi-Stranded Cooper Wire makes for a Good Durable
Long Lasting Wire Antenna Element.http://www.davisrf.com/antenna-wire/...s/5/fact24.php

-however- for Non-Typical SWL Antennas from 150 Feet
and up Copper-Clad-Steel (CCS) Wire may be the better
option for Extra Strength and Durability in a Long-Larger
SWL Antenna.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper-...able/wire.html
* See #511http://www.thewireman.com/antennap.html

-about- Shortwave Radio Listener [SWL] Antenna Wirehttp://www.davisrf.com/antenna-wire/index.php

there you have it : 'my-opinion' - iane ~ RHF
*.
*.


Thanks for this. Do Flexweave and the product sold by Universal have
this thin clear coating?